Each of the three laws were discussed Thursday morning during TMA member Human Resource specialists’ peer group meeting. Jeralyn Baran, attorney from Chuhak & Tecson PC, shared an overview of each.

Briefly, the Illinois Service Member Employment and Reemployment Rights Act imposes obligations on all public and private employers to protect the rights of military personnel to reinstatement following military service with the the same seniority and pay and opportunities for promotion. The measure became effective January 1, 2019.

Secondly, the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act requires profit and non-profit employers with at least 25 employees that have been in business for two years and have no retirement plan to participate in the state’s new pension plan. Unless an employee options out, the employer is required to deduct five percent of the employee’s gross pay and send to the state’s Secure Choice program. The measure goes into effect at certain times depending upon the company size.

Finally, a new Wage Act amendment requires Illinois employers to reimburse required expenses. The amendment defines “necessary expenditures” as “all reasonable expenditures … required of the employee in the discharge of employment duties and that inure to the primary benefit of the employer.”